U.S. patent number 11,266,070 [Application Number 16/663,539] was granted by the patent office on 2022-03-08 for conveyor belt tensioning device for an agricultural machine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to CNH Industrial America LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is CNH Industrial America LLC. Invention is credited to Joel Cook, Brian Crow, Douglas Sorensen, Jeff Thomas.
United States Patent |
11,266,070 |
Sorensen , et al. |
March 8, 2022 |
Conveyor belt tensioning device for an agricultural machine
Abstract
A header for a combine harvester includes a conveyor belt for
conveying crop material in a conveyance direction, and an adjusting
device for adjusting a tension of the conveyor belt. The adjusting
device includes a link that is movable with respect to a frame
member of the header. The link is movable in a direction that is
either orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a tensioning
direction of the conveyor belt for adjusting the tension of the
conveyor belt. The conveyor belt may be an infeed conveyor belt or
a lateral conveyor belt of a draper header, for example.
Inventors: |
Sorensen; Douglas (Lancaster,
PA), Thomas; Jeff (Gordonville, PA), Cook; Joel
(Lititz, PA), Crow; Brian (Rock Island, IL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CNH Industrial America LLC |
New Holland |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CNH Industrial America LLC (New
Holland, PA)
|
Family
ID: |
1000006159360 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/663,539 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20210120741 A1 |
Apr 29, 2021 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G
23/44 (20130101); A01D 41/06 (20130101); A01D
61/02 (20130101); B65H 23/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01D
61/02 (20060101); A01D 41/06 (20060101); B65G
23/44 (20060101); B65H 23/02 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1055361 |
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Nov 2000 |
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EP |
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3406129 |
|
Nov 2018 |
|
EP |
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20170004775 |
|
Jan 2017 |
|
KR |
|
Other References
Extended European Search Report for EP Application No. 20203960.8
dated Mar. 1, 2021 (six pages). cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Fabian-Kovacs; Arpad
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Zacharias; Peter Sheldrake;
Patrick
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A header for a combine harvester comprising: a conveyor belt for
conveying crop material in a conveyance direction; an adjusting
device for adjusting a tension of the conveyor belt, the adjusting
device comprising a first link that is movable with respect to a
frame of the header, wherein the first link is movable in a
direction that is either orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to
a tensioning direction of the conveyor belt for adjusting the
tension of the conveyor belt, wherein the adjusting device is a
linkage, and the linkage comprises the first link, a second link,
and a joint that is pivotably coupled to both the first link and
the second link, wherein the joint is pivotably mounted to the
frame, and the second link is attached to a shaft that rotates with
the conveyor belt, and wherein translation of the first link causes
rotation of the joint, which causes translation of the second link,
which causes translation of the shaft that rotates with the
conveyor belt, which results in tensioning of the conveyor belt,
wherein the linkage further comprises a spring that is configured
to bias the first link in order to maintain the conveyor belt in a
state of tension, wherein the first link passes through an opening
in a wall of the frame, and the spring and the joint are positioned
on opposite sides of the wall.
2. The header of claim 1, wherein the tensioning direction and the
conveyance direction of the conveyor belt are both in the fore-aft
direction of the combine harvester.
3. The header of claim 1, wherein the first link extends along an
axis that is either orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to a
tensioning direction of the conveyor belt.
4. The header of claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt is an infeed
conveyor belt and the header is a draper header.
5. The header of claim 4, wherein the infeed conveyor belt is
oriented orthogonal to a lateral conveyor belt of the draper
header.
6. The header of claim 1, wherein the conveyance direction is
toward a feederhouse.
7. The header of claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt is a lateral
conveyor belt and the header is a draper header.
8. The header of claim 1, wherein the first link is either directly
or indirectly connected to the shaft that rotates with the conveyor
belt.
9. The header of claim 1, further comprising a fastener mounted to
the first link for adjusting a compression of the spring, which
adjusts the state of tension of the conveyor belt.
10. The header of claim 9, wherein the fastener is at least one nut
that is mounted to a threaded portion of the first link.
11. The header of claim 1, further comprising means for moving the
first link that are directly connected to said first link.
12. A combine harvester or other agricultural machine comprising
the header of claim 1.
13. A header for a combine harvester comprising: a conveyor belt
for conveying crop material in a conveyance direction; an adjusting
device for adjusting a tension of the conveyor belt, the adjusting
device comprising a first link that is movable with respect to a
frame of the header, wherein the first link is movable in a
direction that is either orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to
a tensioning direction of the conveyor belt for adjusting the
tension of the conveyor belt, wherein the adjusting device is a
linkage, and the linkage comprises the first link, a second link,
and a joint that is pivotably connected to the second link and a
first end of the first link, wherein the joint is pivotably mounted
to the frame, and wherein the second link is attached to a shaft
that rotates with the conveyor belt, and a cam device having a cam
surface that is positioned against the frame and wherein the cam
device is pivotable and is pivotably coupled to a second end of the
first link to adjust a position of the first link, and wherein
rotation of the cam against the frame causes translation of the
first link, which causes rotation of the joint, which causes
translation of the second link, which causes translation of the
shaft that rotates with the conveyor belt, which results in
tensioning of the conveyor belt.
14. The header of claim 13 further comprising a spring mounted to
the first link, and wherein the cam device is pivotable against a
bias of the spring.
15. A header for a combine harvester comprising: a conveyor belt
for conveying crop material in a conveyance direction; and an
adjusting device for adjusting a tension of the conveyor belt, the
adjusting device comprising a first link that is movable with
respect to a frame of the header, wherein the first link is movable
in a direction that is either orthogonal or substantially
orthogonal to a tensioning direction of the conveyor belt for
adjusting the tension of the conveyor belt, wherein the adjusting
device is a linkage, and the linkage comprises the first link, a
second link, and a joint that is pivotably connected to the second
link and a first end of the first link, wherein the joint is
pivotably mounted to the frame, and wherein the second link is
attached to a shaft that rotates with the conveyor belt, wherein
the linkage is an over-the-center linkage that further comprises a
third link that is pivotably coupled to the first link, a fourth
link that is pivotably coupled to the third link and the frame,
wherein rotation of the third link causes movement of the first
link, which locks the tension of the conveyor belt.
16. The header of claim 15, further comprising a spring mounted to
the first link, and wherein the linkage is pivotable against a bias
of the spring.
17. The header of claim 15, wherein the third link includes a
plurality of openings, and the fourth link is connected to one of
the plurality openings by a pin.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an agricultural machine,
such as a combine, and specifically to a header of a combine, and
more specifically to a device for tensioning an infeed belt of the
header.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As is described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,144,197 to CNH America LLC,
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for
all purposes, a typical header of an agricultural combine includes
one or more cutters, e.g., cutter bars with reciprocating knives,
which cut the crop material that is harvested from the field. Once
the crop material is cut, a conveyor system, which is positioned
rearwardly of the cutter(s), transports the crop material to the
feeder housing. Modern headers generally have cutters and
attachments which are specifically optimized to harvest a
particular kind of crop material. For instance, the header may
include a rotating reel with tines or the like to sweep the crop
material towards the cutter(s). Alternatively, the header may
include snouts and row units instead of a rotating reel and cutter
bar(s).
A draper header is typically used to harvest fluffy or bushy crop
material such as soy beans or canola. A draper header generally
includes a conveyor that is in the form of one or more flat belts,
known as draper belts, to convey the crop material to the feeder
housing. Typically, a draper header may include two lateral draper
belts that convey the crop material longitudinally inward and a
center feed belt that conveys the crop material into the feeder
housing. Each draper belt may be wrapped around rollers, for
example, various combinations of drive rollers and idler rollers.
The draper belts may include cleats extending transversely across
the full width of the header, which contact the crop material to
help facilitate its transportation into the feeder housing.
It can be necessary to adjust the tension on the belts of the
header. Current methods for adjusting the tension on the belts are
challenging due to difficulties in accessing the belt adjustment
components.
Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a convenient and simple
method for adjusting the tension on the belt of a draper header of
an agricultural vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, a header for a combine
harvester includes a conveyor belt for conveying crop material in a
conveyance direction, and an adjusting device for adjusting a
tension of the conveyor belt. The adjusting device includes a link
that is movable with respect to a frame member of the header. The
link is movable in a direction that is either orthogonal or
substantially orthogonal to a tensioning direction of the conveyor
belt for adjusting the tension of the conveyor belt. The adjusting
device may also be used with lateral belts on the header. The
lateral belts are disposed laterally of the conveyor belt.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this
invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference
to the following description of an embodiment of the invention
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an agricultural harvester including
a header;
FIG. 2 is a partial schematic front elevation view of a header for
an agricultural harvester.
FIG. 3 is a partial schematic top plan view of the header of FIG.
2.
FIG. 4 is a schematic elevational cross-section view taken along a
centerline of the header.
FIG. 5 is another partial schematic top plan view of the header of
FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a partial schematic top plan view of the header of FIG. 2
according to another example of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a partial schematic top plan view of the header of FIG. 2
according to yet another example of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein
illustrates an embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such
exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention in any manner.
The terms "forward", "rearward", "left" and "right", when used in
connection with the agricultural combine and/or components thereof
are usually determined with reference to the direction of forward
operative travel of the combine, but again, they should not be
construed as limiting. The terms "longitudinal" and "transverse"
are determined with reference to the fore-and-aft direction of the
combine and are equally not to be construed as limiting.
Referring now to the drawings, as is described in U.S. Pat. No.
9,144,197, FIG. 1 illustrates an agricultural harvester applicable
to the subject application in the form of a combine harvester 10 to
which is attached a header 12. The header 12 has a crop cutter or
knife assembly 14 arranged close the ground. The knife assembly can
include a stationary blade and a reciprocating blade which together
act as shears that cut the crop near the ground. A harvesting reel
16 having tines 18 rotates about a horizontal axis adjacent to the
knife assembly 14 to gather the cut crop and feed it into
unillustrated processing machinery of the harvester.
Turning to FIGS. 2 through 4, there are shown several views of a
draper header 112 for use with the combine harvester 10 in place of
the header 12. The header 112 includes a crop cutter and harvesting
reel 116 (FIG. 4) followed rearwardly by a crop or grain conveyor
system. The harvesting reel 116 gathers the crop cut by the crop
cutter 114 and delivers the cut crop to a conveyor system. The
conveyor system typically includes a header conveyor constructed as
a pair of opposed, laterally extending conveyors 120 which extend
from the lateral ends of the header frame or chassis 122 (shown in
cross-section in FIG. 4) toward a generally central region of the
chassis. As indicated by arrows 124 of FIGS. 2 and 3, cut crop is
delivered by conveyors 120 toward a centrally located infeed
conveyor 126. Infeed conveyor 126 may also be referred to herein as
a belt or conveyor belt. Infeed conveyor 126 extends substantially
perpendicular to conveyors 120 and is driven by a belt drive shaft
131 to move crop in the direction of arrows 128 toward an outlet
130 (FIGS. 2 and 4) which leads to a feederhouse 132. As seen in
FIGS. 2 through 4, before reaching outlet 130, the cut crop first
encounters a centrally located rotatable infeed auger 134 which
impels the crop or grain through the outlet 130. More specifically,
the cut crop is engaged by the helical vanes or flights 136 of the
infeed auger 134 and is pushed thereby through outlet 130.
It has been observed that conventional infeed conveyors suffer
certain disadvantages. As noted above, it can be necessary to
adjust the tension on the conventional infeed conveyor. Current
methods for adjusting the tension on a conventional infeed conveyor
are challenging due to difficulties in accessing the belt
adjustment components. The devices shown in FIGS. 5-7 are effective
in remedying those difficulties.
FIG. 5 is another partial schematic top plan view of the header of
FIG. 2. FIG. 5 depicts the infeed conveyor 126, which is moved in
the direction of arrow 128 by a belt drive shaft 133. The other end
of the infeed conveyor 126 is wrapped around a belt idler shaft
131. The belt idler shaft 131 may extend along the entire width of
the conveyor 126, as shown. Alternatively, the shaft 131 may extend
along only a portion of the conveyor 126. The end of the shaft 131
is journaled in a bearing 502. Bearing 502 has an integral flange
504 extending therefrom or bearing 502 is in a housing. A linkage
506 is connected between flange 504 of bearing 502 and a frame
member 508 of header 112. Frame member 508 is a stationary
component of header 112, and may comprise more than one stationary
component. More particularly, frame member 508 is stationary at
least with respect to the belt of the infeed conveyor 126. The
infeed conveyor 126 may be able to pivot with respect to the frame
of the header.
Linkage 506 comprises a first link 509 that is pivotably connected
to flange 504 by a pinned connection. The opposite end of first
link 509 is pivotably connected to one leg of a joint 510 by a
pinned connection. Joint 510 forms part of linkage 506, and may be
referred to in the art as a clevis. A proximal end 511 (i.e.,
proximal to joint 510) of a second link 512 is pivotably connected
to another leg of joint 510 by a pinned connection. A third leg of
joint 510 is pivotably connected to frame member 508 by a pinned
connection 513.
Second link 512 of linkage 506 passes through an opening 514 formed
in frame member 508 and is configured to translate within opening
514, as will be described later. A conical washer 516 is slideably
positioned over link 512. Link 512 is capable of translating with
respect to conical washer 516. Conical washer 516 includes a
conical end that faces and engages with opening 514 on a side 515
of frame member 508. It should be understood that washer 516 is not
fixed to frame member 508 or link 512. A flat washer 518 is also
slideably positioned over link 512 and is spaced at a distance from
conical washer 516. A compression spring 520 is positioned over
link 512 and between conical washer 516 and flat washer 518. It
should be understood that link 512 is positioned through opening
514, washers 516 and 518, and compression spring 520. The distal
end 521 of link 512 is threaded for receiving two threaded
fasteners 522 (e.g., nuts).
Those skilled in the art will recognize that other fastening
arrangements exist other than nuts and threads. For example, link
512 may include a series of holes staggered along its length and
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis "A" for receiving one or
more pins therethrough. As another alternative, a clamp may be
mounted to the outer diameter of link 512. As another alternative,
link 512 may include a series of holes staggered along its length
and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis "A" for receiving one or
more threaded screws.
Referring still to FIG. 5, adjusting the position of the fasteners
522 changes the tension on conveyor belt 126. For example, moving
the fasteners 522 further toward frame member 508 (in the direction
of arrow 523) causes compression of spring 520, which causes the
link 512 to translate in the direction of arrow 524, which causes
joint 510 to rotate about pinned connection 513 in a clockwise
direction, which causes link 509 to translate in the direction of
arrow 526, which causes bearing 502 and shaft 131 to move in the
direction of arrow 526. Movement of shaft 131 in the direction of
arrow 526 increases the tension on conveyor belt 126. Link 509
pulls on the center axis of bearing 502, which limits a moment
being applied to bearing 502 and shaft 131. Unlike conventional
belt tensioning systems, spring 520 and link 512 translate or move
in a direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular
to the direction 526 of belt tensioning. Stated differently, spring
520 and link 512 translate in a transverse direction with respect
to the combine.
Conversely, moving the fasteners 522 further away frame member 508
(in the direction of arrow 524) causes expansion of spring 520,
which causes the link 512 to translate in the direction of arrow
523, which causes joint 510 to rotate about pinned connection 513
in a counterclockwise direction, which causes link 509 to translate
in the direction of arrow 528, which causes bearing 502 and shaft
131 to move in the direction of arrow 528. Movement of shaft 131 in
the direction of arrow 528 decreases the tension on conveyor belt
126.
A user accessible cover (not shown) may be provided on an exterior
surface of header 122 for accessing the fasteners 522. The position
of fasteners 522 is readily accessible to an operator of header
122, unlike conventional belt tensioning systems.
FIG. 6 is a partial schematic top plan view of header 612 according
to another example of the invention. Header 612 is substantially
similar to header 112 and only the differences therebetween will be
described hereinafter. In header 612, tensioning of conveyor belt
126 is accomplished by linkage 506 in conjunction with a cam device
602. More particularly, cam device 602 is positioned over the link
512 and can rotate with respect to link 512 about a pinned
connection 603. Cam device 602 includes a flange 604. Although not
shown, a linkage or other device may be mounted to flange 604 (or
another point on cam device 602) for rotating cam device 602 in the
direction of the arrows with respect to frame member 508. Cam
device 602 includes a rounded cam surface 606 for engaging with
flat surface 515 of frame member 508. In use, rotation of cam
device 602 about pinned connection 603 changes the distance "D"
separating pinned connection 603 and surface 515. Although not
shown, cam device 612 includes a slot so that it can contact
surface 515 of frame member 508 without interfering with link 512.
A washer 610 is fixedly mounted to link 512 (or may be integrated
with link 512). A compression spring 614 is mounted between one
side of washer 610 and a surface 620 of frame member 508. Spring
614 is configured to cause cam surface 606 to bear on surface 515
of frame member 508.
Cam device 602 is shown in a position where it applies maximum
tension to conveyor belt 126. In operation, rotating cam device 602
in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction from its
position shown in FIG. 6 causes expansion of spring 614, which
causes the link 512 to translate in the direction of arrow 523,
which causes joint 510 to rotate about pinned connection 513 in a
counterclockwise direction, which causes link 509 to translate in
the direction of arrow 528, which causes bearing 502 and shaft 131
to move in the direction of arrow 528. Movement of shaft 131 in the
direction of arrow 528 decreases the tension on conveyor belt
126.
Rotating cam device 602 back to its position shown in FIG. 6 causes
compression of spring 614, which causes the link 512 to translate
in the direction of arrow 524, which causes joint 510 to rotate
about pinned connection 513 in a clockwise direction, which causes
link 509 to translate in the direction of arrow 526, which causes
bearing 502 and shaft 131 to move in the direction of arrow 526.
Movement of shaft 131 in the direction of arrow 526 increases the
tension on conveyor belt 126. Unlike conventional belt tensioning
systems, spring 614 and link 512 translate or move in a direction
that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the
direction 526 of belt tensioning.
FIG. 7 is a partial schematic top plan view of header 712 according
to yet another example of the invention. Header 712 is also
substantially similar to header 112 and only the differences
therebetween will be described hereinafter. Header 712 also
includes elements of header 612, namely, spring 614 and washer 610.
In header 712, tensioning of conveyor belt 126 is accomplished by
linkage 506 in conjunction with a second linkage 706. Linkage 706
is an over-the-center type linkage that includes a first link 708
that is pivotably connected to link 512 by a pinned connection 710.
A second link 714 is pivotably connected to link 708 by a pinned
connection 716. Second link 714 is also pivotably connected to
frame member 720 by a pinned connection 718. Frame member 720 is
stationary and may form part of frame member 508. Regardless, frame
members 508 and 720 represent substantially stationary and fixed
points on the combine.
The over-the-center type linkage 706 has two states, namely, a
locked state (not shown) in which the link 512 is locked in
position and a pre-determined amount of tension is applied to the
conveyor belt 126, and an unlocked state (shown) in which the link
512 is not locked in position and the tension on the conveyor belt
126 is released. The link 708 is pivotable along the directions of
the curved arrow to move the linkage 706 between the locked and
unlocked states. The link 512 may have multiple openings 713
through which the pin 710 is selectively positionable to adjust the
resultant tension on the belt 126 in the locked state of the
linkage 706. Alternatively, the link 708 may have holes.
In operation, starting from the unlocked state of the linkage 706
shown in FIG. 7, the pin 710 is first inserted through an existing
hole in the link 708 and one of the holes 513 in the link 512 in
order to achieve a desired degree of tension on the belt 126 once
the linkage 706 is moved to the locked state. Selecting a hole 513
further to the right of the pin 710 shown in FIG. 7 will act to
increase the degree of tension on the belt 126 once the linkage 706
is moved to the locked state. Conversely, selecting a hole 513
further to the left of the pin 710 shown in FIG. 7 will act to
increase the degree of tension on the belt 126 once the linkage 706
is moved to the locked state The operator then rotates the handle
722 of link 708 in a clockwise direction from its unlocked position
shown in FIG. 7, which causes compression of spring 614, which
causes the link 512 to translate in the direction of arrow 524 and
along axis A, which causes joint 510 to rotate about pinned
connection 513 in a clockwise direction, which causes link 509 to
translate in the direction of arrow 526, which causes bearing 502
and shaft 131 to move in the direction of arrow 526. Movement of
shaft 131 in the direction of arrow 526 increases the tension on
conveyor belt 126. The link 708 ultimately comes to rest in a
substantially horizontal position that is substantially parallel to
the link 512 (or slightly angled with respect to link 512). The
linkage 706 is then substantially locked in position and the belt
126 is maintained in a state of tension. Unlike conventional belt
tensioning systems, spring 614 and link 512 translate or move in a
direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to
the direction 526 of belt tensioning.
To release or unlock the tension on the belt 126, the operator
rotates the handle of 722 of link 708 in a counterclockwise
direction back to the position shown in FIG. 7, which causes
expansion of spring 614, which causes the link 512 to translate in
the direction of arrow 523 and along axis A, which causes joint 510
to rotate about pinned connection 513 in a counterclockwise
direction, which causes link 509 to translate in the direction of
arrow 528, which causes bearing 502 and shaft 131 to move in the
direction of arrow 528. Movement of shaft 131 in the direction of
arrow 528 decreases the tension on conveyor belt 126. Tension is
then released on the belt 126.
Described herein are means for moving the link 512 that are
directly connected to said link 512. The means may comprise the
fasteners 522, the cam 606, the linkage 706, or any other mechanism
that can be employed to move a link.
Although not shown, a motor or other motive device could be
configured to move the fasteners 522, cam device 602 or the linkage
706 to adjust the tension of the conveyor belt 126.
In light of all the foregoing, it should thus be apparent to those
skilled in the art that there has been shown and described a device
for adjusting the tension of an infeed belt of a header of a
combine harvester. However, it should also be apparent that, within
the principles and scope of the invention, many changes are
possible and contemplated, including in the details, materials, and
arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to
explain the nature of the invention. Thus, while the foregoing
description and discussion addresses certain preferred embodiments
or elements of the invention, it should further be understood that
concepts of the invention, as based upon the foregoing description
and discussion, may be readily incorporated into or employed in
other embodiments and constructions without departing from the
scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are
intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the
specific form shown, and all changes, modifications, variations,
and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit
and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the
invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.
* * * * *